Colombia: Hummingbirds & Tanagers of the Western Andes 12/6/2025-12/13/2025

https://ebird.org/tripreport/440344

Co-leader: Alejandro Nagy

Multicolored Tanager, Chlorochrysa nitidissima. Photo: D. Ascanio.

An Andean sunrise in the valley of the Cauca River welcomed us to the famous West Andes, where a mix of cloud forest and edge vegetation harbors amazing hummingbirds and tanagers along with other brightly colored groups of birds. The first day found us tasting organic coffee while Blue-headed Parrots flew overhead, cormorants gave their guttural calls around a farm pond, and an array of other birds sang, among them the Bar-crested Antshrike, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, and the endemic Grayish Piculet.

Later, we drove to iconic Laguna Sonso, a thriving mosaic of marshes, emergent vegetation, and gallery forest. Dozens of herons and egrets were present, and Snail Kites patrolled the floating vegetation in search of apple snails. In the shade of the observation platform, we found ourselves accompanied by dozens of nesting Spectacled Parrotlets performing a wonderful concert of chirps and call notes. As always, the lagoon’s diverse habitats offered excellent birding right from the outset, preparing us for a gentle transition into the western Andean foothills.

Spectacled Parrotlet, Forpus conspicillatus. Photo: D. Ascanio.

After a typical Colombian lunch, we drove to Hotel La Huerta, a peaceful rural lodge surrounded by fields devoted to organic agriculture. The gardens hosted an array of hummingbirds, including the White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Western Emerald, White-vented Plumeleteer, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and Andean Emerald. The next morning was spent exploring the canyon of the Río Bravo, a dramatic landscape where steep walls frame fast‑flowing waters. The mix of cloud forest, rocky slopes, and moss-rich trees makes this site ideal for observing Andean endemics and species adapted to rugged terrain. Río Bravo Road welcomed us with a nesting White-booted Racket-tail, while a Purple-throated Woodstar was hunting insects in the canopy. It was a real treat to see the shy Rufous-breasted Antthrush walking along the forest edge. Other gems included the Brown Inca and the always charming Canada Warbler.

Andean Emerald, Uranomitra franciae. Photo: D. Ascanio.

From La Huerta, we continued on our magical journey, making a stop in Atuncela, a small village that hosts a population of a wonderful hummingbird, the Ruby-topaz. It took us some time to locate one, but with the aid of the local birding team, we were astonished to see that brightly colored ruby crown contrasting with the golden throat. The pause here offered a pleasant change of scenery and additional species diversity before we continued deeper into the West Andes. After lunch in the famed restaurant Aqui Me Quedo, the evening found us at Araucana Lodge, a superb birding place nestled in the western Andes. Surrounded by gardens and forest fragments, this lodge provides comfortable accommodations and some of the region’s best feeder setups, ensuring excellent views of High Andean species right on the grounds.

Western Emerald, Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus. Photo: D. Ascanio.

The following three days were full of fun and some of the best birding experiences to be had anywhere in the tropics of America. In La Florida, we got to see the icing of the cake, the Multicolored Tanager, at close range, alongside Golden-naped, Scrub, Saffron-crowned, and Golden tanagers. In the afternoon, we added superb and soul-touching views of the Little Tinamou, Chestnut Wood-Quail, and White-throated Quail-Dove. The hummingbirds also put on a real show, with views of no fewer than fourteen species, including the Greenish Puffleg, Bronzy Inca, White-booted Racket-tail, and Fawn-breasted Brilliant. The second day found us birding La Minga and the Reserva Forestal Protectora de Bitaco. La Minga provided first-class views of more tanagers, barbets, and hummingbirds. It was a veritable religious experience to see the Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren, a spectacular wren with wonderful plumage and an inspiring voice. As we birded our way down the road, we crossed paths with parades of tanagers that included Flame-rumped, Blue-gray, and Summer (that last not truly a tanager, but rather a cardinal).

Chestnut Wood-Quail, Odontophorus hyperythrus. Photo: D. Ascanio.

The last full day of the tour found us in one of the richest birding bioregions, the Choco. Birding along the paved road gave us views of the Ornate Flycatcher, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, and the astonishing Andean Solitaire. The endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, too, was seen, a superb member of the cardinal family found only in Colombia. Other wonders along the road included the Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Club-winged Manakin, Choco Brushfinch, and Glistening-green Tanager. We eventually made it to the well-known Comederos de Doña Dora, a beloved local feeding station where we enjoyed encounters with a vibrant cast of species, including Spot-crowned and Toucan barbets, Blue-winged and Black-chinned mountain tanagers, and Silver-throated and Golden tanagers; this is one of the few areas where the last two species overlap in range. It was a perfect finale, offering both excellent photography and lasting memories of the birds of the West Andes of Colombia.

Saffron-crowned Tanager, Tangara xanthocephala. Photo: D. Ascanio.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for joining me on one of my favorite Colombia tours. Every tour has its own character and its own story to tell, and this one was no exception. Our Hummingbirds & Tanagers of the West Andes blended an amazing wetland with cloud forest, farmland, and the unique Choco. Each place had its own magic, and we enjoyed colorful birds from day one until the day we left the country. How could we  forget a Prothonotary Warbler in the riverine forest of the Sonso wetland? Or the amazing Multicolored Tanager along with another nineteen colorful species of this family? It was a parade of hummingbirds and tanagers that very few places on Earth can offer.

I am looking forward to seeing you on another birding extravaganza.

Colombia’s bird richness is something you must see to believe it. VENT has prepared a comprehensive portfolio of tours covering the sandy soils of Inirida, the famed Llanos or Plains of the Orinoco, the high Andes surrounding Bogota, the antpittas of the Central Andes, and much more. If you wish to join us again at any of these wonderful destinations, please contact the office for a detailed itinerary.

A complete list of the birds recorded on our tour can be found at: https://ebird.org/tripreport/440344

Photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72177720332073326

Description for the next departure of this tour.

David Ascanio's upcoming tour schedule.